When tight end Ryan Griffin sprained his medial collateral ligament in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, the Texans deemed him valuable enough to hold a roster spot for him rather than shelve him for the season.
Once Griffin was activated from injured reserve-designated to return, a short-term roster designation allowing NFL teams to save a spot for a player recovering from an injury, he made an impact.
Imposing and athletic at 6-6, 254 pounds, Griffin caught a career-high 20 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in nine games and four starts last season for the AFC South division champions.